Socceroos coach Holger Osieck says calls for sacking 'out of order'

Tue 24 Sep 2013, 4:02 PM AEST

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Why me? ... Holger Osieck says it is unfair to call for his head.

Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe, file photo

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck says media speculation over his job security is "a little bit out of order" and that he has no reason to believe Football Federation Australia (FFA) holds doubts about his tenure after being thumped 6-0 by Brazil.

Osieck delivered Australia to a third-consecutive World Cup after taking the reins in 2010, but pundits were quick to question if he is the man to guide the squad at the tournament after a shambolic performance against the host nation earlier this month in Brasilia.

With the World Cup kicking off in under nine months, FFA would want to find and sign a successor quickly if they decide to axe Osieck - who is contracted until the end of the 2014 tournament.

The German opened up about the self-proclaimed worst loss of his coaching career on Tuesday, but seemed taken aback when questions about his future were raised at the squad announcement for next month's friendlies against France and Canada.

"I'm not informed of what has been said or written. And so far, I think there has been not any necessity to talk about it," Osieck replied when asked if he had sought assurances from FFA.

We are already there and a lot of great football nations are still struggling and maybe won't even get there.

"We made the major step and we are already there and a lot of great football nations are still struggling and maybe won't even get there.

"So to question me then, that's a little bit out of order."

Osieck outlined several mitigating factors for the terrible loss to Brazil, making it clear they were "explanations, not excuses".

He highlighted the fitness levels of players based in Australia and the Middle East were not up to scratch due to the fact they were in the middle of pre-season training, and that many from Europe were not playing regular first-team football.

"In retrospective, it was premature to go there," he said of the lesson dished out by Brazil.

"As long as I've been in coaching, it's more than 30 years, I never got a defeat like that.

"It hurts you all. How I personally took it, it was probably a lot tougher than what people say."